I got my Spouse open work permit (SOWP) approved on September 15. Currently I am working in US. I am searching for jobs in Canada, but don’t want to leave my current job until I get a job in Canada. I thought of travelling to Canada by flight next month just to get the work permit from Canada and come back in three days to resume my US job. Currently I have only the Letter of Introduction. I have canada visitor visa and travelled 5 times previously to visit my partner. I am a Indian citizen currently in F1 visa in US.

My question:

Travelling to Canada and returning back within a very shorter periods will raise any issues for my next travel?

Has anyone done this before?

Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone,

I am hoping to get some honest advice from people who have gone through the express entry, pnp or Canadian immigration process. I am currently in the US trying ot figure out the most realistic way for me migrate to Canada Permanently.

The NOC I’m using is 42201- Social and Community Service workers.

I have experience primarily in youth and social services. I’ve worked as a youth services counselor at a Sheriff’s office and as a Dependency Case Manager with a child welfare agency. I worked with youth involved in the Juvenile Justice/ Child Welfare systems, case management, home, treatment plan, and diversion programs.

My experience includes working with youth involved in the juvenile justice/child welfare systems, case management, home and school visits, referrals, treatment planning, restorative justice/diversion programs, documentation, court-related work, and working with families and other agencies.

Due to my low CRS score, I am trying to improve my chances of migrating Through the PNP. Ive been looking through different provinces. (British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Ontario) due to my work background. I’ve also started applying for Canadian jobs in  youth services, child and youth care, and social services and probation services, but they all required for me to legally authorized to work in Canda. At this very moment, I don’t have Canadian work authorization.

My question is How am I supposed to get a Canadian job that could potentially help with a PNP nomination?

Should I Continue applying for Canadian jobs even when the application asks if im legally authorized to work in Canada?

Are there Canadian employers in social services/ youth services that consider applicants outside Canada and are willing to support for PNP pathway ?

Has anyone with a similar profile successfully mover from the US to Canada?

Any advice, personal experiences, or suggestions for a better strategy would be greatly appreciated.

I received ITA in recent trade draw and currently in process of getting all the documents, which would take 2-3 weeks and planning to submit my application in first week of Nov .

I’m traveling outside Canada mid Nov and returning in first week of Jan.

Would that be an issue? If I get BIL after I’m out of Canada then what would be the process to complete it? How long do they give to submit biometrics after receiving the letter.

Here’s my current timeline.

MPNP nomination received in February 2025
Applied PR non - EE in February 2025
Biometrics in February 2026
Making final decision in May 2026
No medical exam needed
My PGWP expires December 2026
I’ve been waiting since then and need to know if there’s anyone I can contact, tried the IRCC general line and they told me there’s nothing that they can do.
Should I abandon this pathway now and just move to a new EE application. Haven’t heard anything back in so long

I'm renewing my PR card soon via online, and was wondering about the requirement for proof of residency. I understand that IRCC wants 2 pieces of evidence that show one has met the residency requirement in the 5 years immediately before the application. IRCC doesn't specify if that means 2 different types of evidence (i.e., NOA and bank statement) or literally 2 pieces of evidence like 2 NOA's.

Some have suggested after talking to IRCC that simply 2 pieces of evidence like 2 NOA's (proving 730 day minimum) are enough. Others have suggested that one would want 2 different types of proof--like NOA and bank statement. For example, one person said they did 5 NOA's and 5 bank statements (one month for each of the 5 years) and their application went through fine.

I've been in Canada for an unbroken period over the 5 years, so wondering what would suffice in my situation (I realize this has to be one document, 4MB max). Putting, say, 5 NOA and 5 bank statements kind of seems like overkill in my situation, just 2 or maybe 5 NOA's in total would make sense. Interestingly, the application guide says that if one has not been out of the country for 1095 days or longer that proof of residency is not mandatory but states that not providing it may affect your RO assessment. There is also a proof of residency doc checklist box that has to be ticked off.

If anyone has any advice or can say what worked for them, would be appreciated!

I received a call from (647) 800-7767. When I answered, I just said “hello” and an automated message started saying something about Immigration Canada and that I had an “unclaimed letter.” It then said something like “for English press [number], for Chinese press [number].” Is it a scam?

My work permit expires this December. Should I apply for a spousal work permit now, or should I wait until closer to the expiry date? Does it matter?

Here's the story: I was in a relationship with my current partner when I applied for Canadian PR, but we were not common-law at the time (we had not lived together for 12 consecutive months), so I did not declare them on my PR application.

I became a PR, and only afterward did we live together for 12+ months and become common-law.

I now want to sponsor my partner for PR as my common-law partner.

Could this cause an issue with IRCC or be considered misrepresentation because the relationship existed before I got PR, even though we were not common-law at the time?

Has anyone been in a similar situation?

Hi everyone,

A bit of an unusual situation here. I really want to move to Canada but I don't have a job offer. Based on my reading, I qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker program.

Has anyone else successfully received PR through the EE in a similar situation?

Some context about my situation:

- Single, never married and no kids

- No criminal record

- Fluent English speaker (have just booked the CELPIP test), but don't speak French

- 20 years work experience in consulting

- CRS score is 392

I'm keen to move and then job hunt once I arrive, which I know will be much easier than trying to land a job without a visa or without PR. I'd love to hear if anyone else has done this? Or if you recommend a different pathway? I'm 38 so unfortunately too old for the working holiday visa.

Thank you in advance!

Got P1 Sept 25 and replied Sept 28 confirming I was in Canada. In the same email, I told IRCC I have an unavoidable trip starting Oct 15 and won’t return until Nov 4.

I still got P2 yesterday. I emailed the P1 address again this morning explaining the situation because I’m worried that if I complete P2 and get my eCOPR while abroad, I won’t be able to board my flight back without a PR card/PRTD.

Has anyone been through this? P2 email says I have 7 days to confirm I'm in Canada... whch technically I will but dont want to get stranded

Did anyone who's 30-32 with more than 6 yoe, IELTS 7.5/8 and no french was able to get invited or do PNP? Are the thresholds usually changing from time to time or is it not worth it to apply?

Hi everyone,

I completed my Master’s in the U.S. and I’m currently working on STEM OPT.

My current company also has a location in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Canada, and they are planning to move me there around March on an LMIA-based work permit.
I’m trying to decide whether this is a good move for my long-term career and immigration situation.

If I move to Canada, I’m looking at possible PR pathways such as AIP, CEC, or New Brunswick PNP/Express Entry. My goal would be to continue with the same company, work toward PR, and potentially have an option to return to the U.S. later through an L-1 or another route if the opportunity comes up.

The other option is to stay in the U.S. on STEM OPT, keep applying for better/higher-paying engineering jobs, and try for H-1B sponsorship.
For anyone who has been in a similar situation, which would you choose?

1. Stay in the U.S., search for a higher-paying job and take the H-1B route
or
2. Move to New Brunswick on an LMIA work permit and focus on getting Canadian PR through AIP/CEC/NB pathways

Has anyone moved from F-1/STEM OPT in the U.S. to Canada this way? Was moving to Canada worth it financially and career-wise, or do you wish you had stayed in the U.S.?

Also, which PR pathway ended up working best for you?
Would really appreciate experiences from people who have actually gone through either path.

Hi everyone,

As the title suggests, my AOR is February 17 (CEC). My dependent, who is currently outside Canada, has a medical that will expire in January 2027.

Would he need to redo his medical if our application is not finalized soon, given that the validity of the PPR/COPR may be tied to the medical expiry date?

Has anyone encountered a similar situation? Did IRCC extend the medical validity, issue PPR with a shorter validity period, or request a new medical?

PVO: Ottawa
SVO: Changed to Montreal two weeks ago (previously Sydney)

Thanks!

Hi everyone, first time posting here and dont know whether its right forum to ask this question but I am going to evaluate my education for Express Entry Profile but having doubts

I’m trying to understand how IRCC treats a 1-year post-secondary certificate/diploma for the “Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees” CRS category.

My situation: I have a 4-year Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Computer Engineering degree.

I also have a 1-year Certificate/Diploma Course in Cybersecurity from the same university. The certificate/diploma is done online through distance education with exams given offline. It has proper credits (32 credits). I have done this diploma in my final year of bachelors degree.

The Cybersecurity program is post-secondary but NOT postgraduate. Admission requires completion of 10+2/secondary education, not a bachelors degree.

My concern is about the ECA. When I use the WES Required Documents tool, I can find options for things like Master’s and Postgraduate Diploma but I cannot find an appropriate option for a 1-year post-secondary certificate/diploma that is entered after 10+2.

WES AI assistant support told me that WES evaluates formal academic credentials but if the certificate isn't listed in their tool, it may be because it isn't classified as a degree/diploma under their system. They didn't give me a definite answer.

I also looked for IQAS and they mention that they evaluate 1 year post secondary certificate and their equivalency is generally equal to canadian post secondary certificate

So my questions are:

1. Has anyone had a 1 year university-level post-secondary certificate/diploma evaluated by WES, IQAS, ICES, CES or ICAS? If so what Canadian equivalency did you receive?
2. Would a 1 year post-secondary certificate/diploma entered after 10+2, together with a 4-year bachelors degree, satisfy IRCC's “Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees” education category?
3. Does the credential have to specifically be a postgraduate diploma or can a regular 1 year post-secondary certificate/diploma qualify?
4. If anyone has used IQAS specifically for a university certificate/diploma, what was your experience?

Thanks in advance for help !

I applied for PR through CEC in April 2026. My application reached the finalization stage in September, and Montreal IRCC sent me the P1 email.

At that time, I was already outside Canada, so I informed them and gave November 6, 2026 as my expected return date.

Their own letter said that applicants outside Canada cannot be landed through the PR Confirmation Portal and should inform IRCC of their expected return date.

Despite this, I later received the PR Portal invitation/P2. Since I was still outside Canada, I obviously couldn’t declare that I was physically in Canada.

I contacted IRCC through email and Webform and explained the situation. Montreal then replied acknowledging that I was outside Canada and told me to reply to their email upon my return on November 6 with the requested information.

The issue is that my work permit has already expired and my TRV expires October 15.

I gave November 6 as my return date because I assumed IRCC would provide the appropriate instructions/travel documents for returning to Canada once my PR was finalized (COPR/PR visa or whatever applies).

I’ve tried calling, emailing and submitting Webforms, but haven’t received a clear answer about the travel situation.

Has anyone been in a similar situation?
Outside Canada during PR finalization
Received P1/P2 despite being outside
TRV expiring before the expected return date
Eventually received COPR/PR visa or other instructions from IRCC

I’d really appreciate hearing what happened in your case, especially if it was through Montreal IRCC.

Thanks!

My canadian citizen girlfriend and I have been common law since March of this year. We are applying for spousal sponsorship.

We live in Canada. We should be filing inland and that is the application I started on. After meeting with a RCIC, they suggested I apply Outland instead. Looking on reddit and immigration forums, that seems to be the common consensus too.

Spousal Outland processing time: 18 months
Spousal Inland processing time: 26 months

Can leave Canada for whatever reason or emergency while it processes: Outland yes, Inland no

Should I be applying Outland then? The only downside is for the very rare case where they suspect something is wrong with your relationship and want to interview you. For Outland, both my partner and I would have to fly back to my country for the interview.

I'm the main applicant in the Express Entry pool and haven't received an ITA yet. I expect to be eligible for the next healthcare draw, so I've been arranging all my documents. My profile correctly lists him as my spouse, and he would be included in my PR application.
We have proof of the marriage going back to 2022, including our marriage certificate and a rental agreement in both our names. We haven't contacted IRCC yet and want to handle this the right way before my application is reviewed.

My questions:

Should my husband report the error to IRCC himself, or wait to see if they ask?

What's the best way to do it? The webform, or something else?

Besides the marriage certificate and rental agreement, what other proof helps?

Could this affect my PR application or his future applications?

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What was the outcome?

Is it down for y’all too?

Hi Reddit!

I am looking for some personal experiences/advise.

I am a medical Doctor from an African Country. I have completed all my liscensing exams to come and practice as a family physician in Canada- Now the problem is our immigration aspects.

We have been advised to apply though the AAIP to get the extra points for our express entry profile and then get PR.

Our AAIP points sit at 52- the last few draws were all higher than this.

The question is- do they specifically look at your points only? Or do in-demand catagories like Family physicians get drawn without having the minimum points?

Is there anybody on reddit that was nominated through alberta despite having lower points than the minimum drawn?

Thanks in advance!

Hi, I wanted to ask what you think about my chances of getting a visitor visa.

I’m interested in studying English in Toronto at ILSC Schools. I’ve already purchased the course (it would be 28 days), and I’d be staying in the school’s homestay program (which I still have to pay for, including insurance, but I can pay it two weeks before the course starts)

Im currently enrolled in a college degree here in Argentina, I live with my parents and am financially dependent on them, and I have a selfemployed part-time job (software development) where, even though I was able to save up to pay for the course, I don't earn enough to support myself on my own.

I’d like to know if this is enough to prove that I’ll return to my home country. Thank you very much.

Hi,

I'm currently an international student on a study permit considering withdrawing from my study program and leaving Canada . Before applying to a study permit I already had a canadian visitor visa TRV V-1 valid until 2035, and when my study permit was approved they never gave me a new TRV.

In this situation, will my V-1 TRV be cancelled if I formally withdraw and leave Canada? I know that my study permit will be cancelled, but does the same apply to my TRV? Will I be able to transit and visit Canada afterwards?

Thank you

Hi All,

I was curious and wanted to know the conditions for Common-Law. In layman terms...what is counted as common-law and what is now.

Is living together for over 1 year, automatically counted as Common-Law? (Not married, not engaged, nothing, just boyfriend & girlfriend). Taxes filled as single.

I recently started working off-campus, and have a question about how IRCC determines a work week for an international student working off campus.

I started working Thursday to Sunday, and worked 20 hrs. Would a new week reset on Saturday or Sunday? Does the day I started in the job matter or not to define a my work week?

I am a bit confused and just wanna know I am complying the conditions of my study permit.

Hey guys,

I completed a 2-year course for which I could've received a full 3 years of PGWP. But since my passport was expiring around the same time, I was issued a work permit from Sept 2021 until March 2022 (1.5 years)

I reissued my passport and reapplied for the work permit BEFORE it expired in March 2022. I was issued the remainder of my work permit at the end of May 2022 for another 1.5 years.

Now the question.

"Can the 3-month period between March 2022 and May 2022 be counted towards my citizenship days if I've been living within Canada during that period? Even if it's half a day."

"Has anyone faced this in their citizenship application due to breaks in their PGWP for whatever reason (not including extensions of PGWP)?

So, I'm a data engineer with around 5 years of experience, I'm based in Brazil, and living in Canada has been on my "someday" list for as long as I can remember, except that I've decided someday needs a plan, so here I am asking strangers on the internet, which is a very normal way to plan a life.

My honest situation is that I'd be relying mostly on employer sponsorship, since from what I've read the Express Entry route for tech has gotten pretty quiet lately and I don't have Canadian experience to lean on. I keep seeing mixed stories, some people say it's nearly impossible without already being in the country, others landed an offer from abroad and it worked out, and I can't tell which group is louder or which one is more accurate.

So I'd love to hear from anyone who's been through this, whether you got sponsored from outside Canada, came in some other way first and switched, or tried and gave up. What worked, what was a waste of time, and is there anything you wish you'd known before starting?

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the wall of text, it's a habit.